Middletown Man Facing Charges of Luring Girl

FREEHOLD – A 24-year-old Middletown man was arrested and charged on August 18, 2016, with luring a 14-year-old girl last year using the popular online social media meeting site “Kik,” announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Bryan W. Sanderson is charged with one count of second degree Luring a Juvenile, two counts of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and third degree Violation of Parole Supervision for Life. Investigators are seeking additional information about the man’s activities and looking to identify other possible victims.

The charges stem from a nearly year-long investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Parole Board, and the Union County Police Department, following a motor vehicle stop on Sept. 9, 2015, after Sanderson was found with an expired registration while parked in a no parking zone. Inside the car, police found Sanderson with a 14-year-old female. During their investigation, the Union County Police learned Sanderson was on Parole Supervision for Life as a result of a previous conviction. Police contacted state parole authorities advising them that Sanderson was in a car with a juvenile, prompting charges for a violation of his parole.

A subsequent investigation led to the discovery of numerous images and videos considered child pornography on Sanderson’s cellphone.

If convicted of Luring a Juvenile, Sanderson faces a sentence of five to ten years in prison. If convicted of any of the third degree offenses, Sanderson faces a sentence of three to five years in prison on each count.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Michael Acquaviva of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 431-7160 ext. 2233.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Ellyn Rajfer. Defendant is currently represented by Michael C. Woyce, Esq., of Ringwood.